Sir Robert and Bob the Builder Promoting Energy Efficient Buildings

Sir Robert Atkins, MEP for the North West of England and Deputy Leader of the Conservative delegation in the European Parliament, backs Bob’s motto ‘reduce, reuse and recycle.”

BRUSSELS, 14th June 2007 — Conservative MEPs met with ‘Bob the Builder’ to discuss how they can help Europe to find ways of ensuring climate change mitigation and security of energy supply, whilst remaining competitive in a global economy.

Within this debate the huge potential of energy efficiency in buildings has been recognised. Not only could over 20% of Europe’s total energy use be reduced by improvements in buildings but the saved energy costs would amount to €270 billion. In terms of climate, a reduction of 460 million tonnes of CO2 per year - an amount greater than the EU’s Kyoto commitment.

Sir Robert said:

“Policy makers from the EU, right down to local Government level, need to apply Bob’s maxim of ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ to our construction practices if we are serious about combating climate change.